Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for him to act. Psalm 37:7

Be silent before the Lord, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling. Zechariah 2:13

Insight

My sincerest apologies for any spelling mistakes in today's devotional. Direct any frustrations over errors, misspellings, and grammatical flubs towards the A, W, S, and Z keys on my laptop. They will pop off if I type too quickly or push too hard. A dysfunctional keyboard makes typing complete and coherent sentences a challenging and often futile task.

But, in spite of the frustration, there is one unintended benefit towards my current plight. It requires me to slow down. It trains my eyes to see flaws. It demands that I pay attention. It directs me to pause and focus. Instead of churning out this entry and moving on to the next, I'm forced to reflect and review the weight of my words.

An interruption or inconvenience are opportunities in disguise. Everything comes down to how we view things. Perspective matters, not only towards our attitude but also our response to the circumstances we face.

Our hearts weren't designed to live in chaos constantly. Pushing only produces more pressure. We can either slow down on purpose or through pure exhaustion. The choice is ours.

Being willing to lie down by still waters prepares our hearts for the times when we encounter the raging sea.

Regardless of the circumstances we face, we are called to pursue His heart and reflect His love. Power exists in the pause. Focusing our attention on Him always leads towards a life centered on self-denial and others oriented love.

There are opportunities ahead of us awaiting our obedience, opportunities that we will miss if we live our days relentlessly rushed. The missing piece that leads to stability and perspective entails quieting our heart, resting, and staying connected to Christ.

Reflection

What makes you resistant to slowing down and quieting your heart and mind?

Where do you need God's perspective, wisdom, and insight? How can you pause to receive it?

Prayer

God, allow me to be deliberate with my words and actions today. Help me to pause and think of their impact on my life and those around me. May I slow down to keep in step with You and Your ways. Let me seek refuge in You and find rest. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.